 |
 |
UPPER MANAGEMENT
Fantasy Sports Neighborhood
|
| Welcome |
|
|
Welcome to THE UPPER MANAGEMENT. Fantasy Sports Neighborhood.
You are currently viewing the UM as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features.
The UM opened August 17th, 2007 as a handpicked 100 members who were asked to join for their smarts and community involvement. But the word got out that the UM neighborhood is not just your average start up community! .... Members begun jumping in from word of mouth .. and now the UM stands at 300+ members and over 30,000 posts and growing!
The site has it's very own Texas Holdem table which has members playing against each other 24/7! .. MLB Gameday audio only for the community. A live chat room, fantasy leagues with the winner landing up to 100 dollars in prizes. We also have our own FREE Baseball draft kit for our UM members, as well as an upcomming Football draft kit. We run our own monthly MILB prospect list. But most importantly .. The UM has grown into a community of sports friends. So jump in and, join the UM today! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hessshaun
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 586
Location: Philly
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject: |
  |
|
I cannot believe that no one mentioned the forbidden name! Mark Prior anyone? Can anyone honestly post and say they would not be surprised if he did not end up on the shelf like he always does?
And also, in my opinion Gaudin is the one to get the most excited about in the entire deal. He is 25 and was a work horse last year. Had he not been in a situation where a team was showcasing an injury prone phenom, two nice rookies, Blanton, and a RP who happened to catch complete fire, he would be a solid three starter on most teams in all of baseball. I am now wondering more about what is wrong with Gaudin?
All in all I call this trade a wash until I head what is up with Gaudin. IMO he was the best player in this deal at this point in time. Dont get me wrong, Harden is an absolute monster if healthy but cmon, he wont make it into August. Sorry Jeff, dont mean to be a dick.
_________________
Signatures are for pussies. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Grid
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Posts: 1745
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This trade may appear to be a wash now, but years down the road it could be seen one one of those lists we occasionally compile, you know the worst trades of all time lists :P. Harden is that good - and he's dirt cheap for this season and next.
_________________
4 MORE YEARS... 4 MORE YEARS... 4 MORE YEARS... |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hessshaun
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 586
Location: Philly
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Grid wrote: |
| This trade may appear to be a wash now, but years down the road it could be seen one one of those lists we occasionally compile, you know the worst trades of all time lists :P. Harden is that good - and he's dirt cheap for this season and next. |
Very possible but the A's would not pay him outside of next year anyhow so they are really only losing a year tops. No way he is on their team after the deadline next year. I agree with you if he stays healthy.
_________________
Signatures are for pussies. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
youngbuck8100
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 2769
Location: Connecticut
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think the As got more for Rich Harden then the Indians did for CC Sabathia
_________________
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delbert6
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Posts: 1577
Location: Maine
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
I won't begin to try and slander those that might disagree in hopes of some virtual coming together or following,,,,
I will say this-
The Harden deal boils down to one thing- The ability to stay healthy-
If he pitches out the season- SCORE!
If he pitches 8 games- SCORE!
If his name on the roster alone induces fear- SCORE!
----------
_________________
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
darko
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 4490
Location: Melbourne, AUS
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| youngbuck8100 wrote: |
| I think the As got more for Rich Harden then the Indians did for CC Sabathia |
I completely disagree YB. None of those prospects will be very good players. Gallagher could, Patterson I aint sold on. A's didnt get at least 1 very good prospect. Cubbies have Vitters and that's it - that is who Billy Beane should've asked for. Vitters is better than all 3 of Gallagher, Donaldson and Patterson... JMO
But at least A's got something in return for Harden. Before this season it looked like Harden would end up like Prior...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
quiksilver
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 1761
Location: Californ-i-a
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'm really not excited about the trade but like others have mentioned it basically boils down to Gallagher and Gaudin. We know what to expect from Harden- 20 lights out starts a season with DL stints in between. Beane seems to enjoy having a well-stocked OF so Murton is in the mix there. Donaldson, Patterson- meh. Gallagher is young and inexperienced so it will be interesting to see how he develops. Gaudin is cut from the same cloth as Blanton- not overpowering, but a true workhorse and innings eater... I really think he can flourish as a starter, but isn't as effective in those 1, 2 inning gigs.
_________________
  |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Soko the MACE
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 119
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
Provided that he stays healthy, Harden could have as big an impact on the central race as Sabathia. Many baseball people feel that he has some of the best stuff in the game, and he is only 26 with an option for '09. He's often injured but that's why they wanted insurance for Harden, which is why they got Chad Gaudin in the deal. He will add some stability to the bullpen, but he can start as well. Murton and Patterson were blocked at the major league level and Lou was never going to play them. Gallagher has shown flashes, he has pretty good stuff but he needs some more time to develop.
_________________
I'm no different from anybody else with two arms, two legs, and 4200 hits. ~Pete Rose
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Koby Schellenger
Inter-Affiliate
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Posts: 1227
Location: Madison, WI
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Anyone else think Harden going to the Cubs is like sending a sex offender to a strip club?
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hessshaun
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 586
Location: Philly
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Koby Schellenger wrote: |
| Anyone else think Harden going to the Cubs is like sending a sex offender to a strip club? |
That was my initial reaction but I substitute pre school for strip club.
_________________
Signatures are for pussies. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Koby Schellenger
Inter-Affiliate
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Posts: 1227
Location: Madison, WI
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| hessshaun wrote: |
| Koby Schellenger wrote: |
| Anyone else think Harden going to the Cubs is like sending a sex offender to a strip club? |
That was my initial reaction but I substitute pre school for strip club. |
That's why you're classy man.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bizplayboy
Website Admin
Joined: 16 Aug 2007
Posts: 5137
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
When you think of organizations who do a good job with there minor leaguers ... the Cubs don't come to mind. A dude like Josh Donaldson, who's been shitty this year, may have a better chance in an oakland system which knows how to groom prospects. This kid was either a supplemental 1st or early 2nd round pick last year, and was considered a top 3 offensive catcher in the draft. and hit the shit out of Boise. He's got real talent.
Just getting rid of Harden before he gets hurt was smart enough .... but If they can get Donaldson on board combined with Gallagher ... this will be a very good trade for the A's.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ryno
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 457
Location: Tulsa
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
A couple of overnight thoughts:
It could very well turn out that the best move that the Cubs made was in the trade that they DIDN'T make.
If they had traded these guys (most of which were in the trade picture) for Brian Roberts, they would have had to trade Vitters and other breathing bodies for a pitcher of Harden's caliber. Then they would be hamstrung to make any more trades this season.
Instead, they were able to take the chance on Harden AND got Gaudin for a good pitcher and three players they had no immediate use for (but players that could help Oakland now and in the future). Meanwhile, Mark DeRosa is happy as a clam playing everyday (and showing it), and Soriano (when healthy) still has his leadoff spot. As mentioned before, the more I think about Gaudin, the more I love that part of the deal.
And now, the Cubs don't have to offer Vitters in a deal for another SP (Maddux?) or RP (Fuentes?), or for another bat (don't know who is out there within reason, but I've heard DeJesus, and that would be a nice add -- Holliday is just crazy thinking). Just stay away from A.J. Burnett -- the Cubs are already out on a limb with a pitcher with Harden's history; they don't want to make their odds for trade success go down even further. And Fuentes would be a nice add because I can't stand Wuertz and Cotts -- waste of space.
My other thought was regarding the use of Harden. It might cost the Cubs a game here or there, but I hope they don't try to make Harden the equal of Sabathia and run him out there immediately.
Marshall had probably his best start his last time out. He's earned one more start, so let him go Saturday and save Harden until after the break. Then, don't ride him hard. They don't need eight innings from him immediately. They need him in September and (hopefully) October.
But, if they do baby Harden for a bit and he still goes down, they still got Gaudin in the deal, and for the four players the A's got, the deal would be a slight loss for the Cubs. But it was a brilliant insurance move by Hendry.
_________________
 
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Koby Schellenger
Inter-Affiliate
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Posts: 1227
Location: Madison, WI
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The nice thing about the deal for the Cubs is it really doesn't hurt them. While they traded away a good catching prospect in Josh Donaldson & a valuable pitcher, Patterson & Murton don't really figure into the equation long-term. However, both represent pretty significant pieces in a playoff situation. Patterson provides excellent speed off the bench. The Cubs don't have a better option than him in a pinch runner situation. Pie is alright, but with the health issues he's had coupled with his success rate being less than desirable, Patterson is a superior option. Murton provides good corner outfield defense but little at the plate that isn't recoverable. Now, pinch runners & defensive replacements are no reason to keep a team from getting a star pitcher. However, if I'm a Cubs fan, I look at this very skeptically. Sam Fuld & Felix Pie have increased roles, which isn't a good thing. Gallagher is young & has solid #3 potential (as early as next year). He's taken a while to figure it out in the bigs, but so have many pitchers that have gone on to be very successful. It is not surprising that a pitcher struggled in the bigs at 20 & 21. Very few succeed at that age. The net of the trade of course, is the Cubs move marginal 25-man roster position players that would have helped in the playoffs (albeit in smaller roles) & a pitcher that would have helped them for the next four or five years for a pitcher who, when healthy, is a solid #2 pitcher. It's a risky move for sure because there's a pretty fair chance that Gallagher alone is better than Harden the rest of this year. As a counter move to the Sabathia trade, I think the deal was a little rash, but then again, I'm probably a little more gunshy of injury prone pitchers than the Cubs.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UOKazem
Joined: 13 Jun 2008
Posts: 463
Location: Montclair, New Jersey
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Murton and Patterson were both blocked prospects. If the Cubs didn't get them out of there, the two of them were going to waste away in AA/AAA barring injuries to other players. Both of them needed a change of scenery, and while I'm not very high on them, the Cubs lost virtually nothing but depth in giving them away.
As for Gallagher and Donaldson, Donaldson has struggled ever since he was drafted and I'm not very high on him behind the plate. I'd actually give Kurt Suzuki the nod over Donaldson for more likely to have a stronger career looking at them right now, and Donaldson hasn't shown the offense that makes him valuable at any other position. Gallagher could turn out to be a good #2 starter, but that's about his ceiling and he'll probably end up a #3 IMO.
I was surprised the Cubs pulled this off. They had such a bare farm system prior to this move, I didn't think they could get a name like Harden.
I'm reserving judgment on this deal for now. If Harden keeps his injury prone ways and continues to pitch 1/2 starts, then the As probably win this deal in the long term. If Harden can stay healthy though... we all know what that means. I of course don't see that happening though...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|
|
